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A Series of Unfortunate Events...
by sarah.bee

next entry: Christmas Capers and New Years Reflection

Introduction

12/11/2018

First off, I should probably say that I'm not a new member as such, but rather I have returned after what feels like many years. My memory is pretty rubbish these days so I can't remember how many years it's been, but I feel like it must be more than 5?

As you can probably tell by my seriously imaginative user name, my name is Sarah and my surname begins with a 'B'. I'm 33 years old and from the North of the UK.

I'm a mum to 3 boys, Ben who is 11, Isaac who is 9 and Alex who is 5. My step daughter, Ahja is 16. We also have a little black called Rogue who will be 1 in February.

Up until the summer break this year, I was working as a teacher (which I now vaguely remember posting about - so perhaps not quite 5 years has passed). However, since January, my health had been declining. I'd lost hearing in my left ear, was having a lot of headaches and almost constant dizzy spells. It was really beginning to impact my ability to teach, so I decided to take a break from work while we figured out what was wrong.

In August this year, I was diagnosed with a Vestibular Schwannoma - a benign brain tumour. Although benign, mine had grown so big that it was pushing on major brain structures, making it difficult for me to balance and walk and by this point it had stolen almost all of my hearing in my left ear.

In September, they operated and it took 13 hours to evict my tumour. Although they got all of it out, I had to sacrifice my hearing in the left ear for life, had no balance aparatus on the left side (removed) and they had also injured the brain slightly - enough to cause a blood clot to begin forming in my sigmoid sinus vein. After a few weeks of swelling and headaches, they did a CT scan and found the clot. This was followed by six lumbar punctures to reduce spinal fluid and a course of blood thinning injections and then warfarin.

Right now, I'm at the stage where I'm recovered enough to realise just how bored I am not working - however, with my health still not 100%, I am cautious of getting another full time job straight away. Instead, my plan is to go back to one of my old schools and volunteer for a while until they hopefully hire me (they have strongly hinted this would be the case). I have no idea how single-sided deafness (SSD) will impact my teaching, or how quickly I will exhaust myself, but I sure can't sit around moping for the forseeable future.

My kids have coped incredibly well and my family have been extremely supportive. I can't drive right now and gave up my car to save money whilst not working, so I have relied on family for a lot and they have always happily provided support.

 

next entry: Christmas Capers and New Years Reflection

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Sounds like a horribly tough year. Glad you're feeling ready to slowly get back out there. Definitely volunteer for a bit to test the waters, then hopefully that will lead to something paid and permanent!

[The RyanStar|0 likes] [|reply]

Welcome back. I'm so glad they found and removed the tumor, and I pray that your health will improve.

[ Avonlea@ITW|0 likes] [|reply]

So glad you have the support and are healthy and improving on your end. - fireworks

[|reply]

So glad you have the support and are healthy and improving on your end.

[fireworks|0 likes] [|reply]

Wow, that is one heck of a struggle to go through. One day at a time, though! One step, one moment, just move at a pace that works for you.

[raen|0 likes] [|reply]

next entry: Christmas Capers and New Years Reflection

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